15 Social Science Courses for High School Students

TL;DR

You'll find 15 university and online courses here covering social science fields like international relations, sociology, political philosophy, and law. Options range from free, self-paced platforms like Coursera through Wesleyan and the University of London, to credit-bearing tracks such as Georgetown's International Relations course at $3,995. Formats span virtual study to residential campus stays at schools like Brown and Columbia, with most programs accepting applicants in grades 9 through 12. Immerse Education's Academic Insights Programme, open to students ages 13 to 18 worldwide with a bursary programme available, closes out the list.

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Understanding how human societies work can be a valuable skill you can use to explore a wide range of academic fields, no matter what you choose to focus on at university. Whether you are curious about public policy, international law, economics, journalism, history, or psychology, social science courses can help you see how human behavior influences these fields to address systemic issues.

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Envision spending a few weeks tracking public opinion trends, evaluating historical legislation, or analyzing community interactions alongside other motivated teenagers. Structured courses will help you cover core concepts, work on projects, test societal theories out in real settings, and see exactly how research groups coordinate their daily tasks. If you’re looking to build a career in social science, you should check out our guides on building a career in sociology and international relations.

What kinds of social science courses are available for high school students?

Courses in social science can vary widely in scope, rigor, and formats. Some courses focus heavily on sociology, ethnic studies, and media ethics, helping you analyze social issues. Some courses focus on political science, economic theories, and legal systems, while allowing you to develop debating skills. A few programs operate directly inside college classrooms to show you what university life feels like, while other programs partner with local non-profit groups to focus on community service tasks. The right programs will give you plenty of chances to engage in thoughtful discussions, collaborate on teams, and use your skills instead of just learning through instruction.

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For related opportunities, consider online social sciences courses and social science research programmes for high school students.

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To help you find the right fit, we have curated a list of 15 social science courses for high school students.

15 Social Science Courses for High School Students

1. Cornell University Pre-College Studies: Social Science Courses

Location: Online or Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Cost: $1,940/credit +  $75 application fee; financial aid available for students affiliated with select community-based organizations.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; selective admissions

Dates: Three-week and six-week summer sessions and three-week winter sessions available: dates vary by year

Application deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: Students, ages 15 – 19, who have completed grade 10; open to international students

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Cornell’s pre-college program offers a direct pathway for you to explore Ivy League academics within a field of your choice, which can be a social science discipline. You will enroll in Cornell undergraduate courses, choosing from options in anthropology, sociology, international relations, and public policy, and earn college credit along with an official transcript. 

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The courses will let you learn through discussions, lectures, and assignments, following a structure that mirrors university-level academics and expectations. Classes may be conducted live on campus or virtually in a self-paced format, offering you some flexibility in how you learn. You will also connect with peers from around the world during the program. 

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Why it stands out: You will get to enroll in Cornell social science courses, get early exposure to Ivy League education, and earn transferable college credit while still in high school.

2. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme

Location: Oxford, Singapore, Boston, Cambridge, London, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme

‍Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Application deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 18, currently enrolled in middle or high school; open to students from around the world.

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The Academic Insights Program lets middle and high school students experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7 to 10, and learn from tutors from top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, including Computer Science, Economics, Architecture, AI, Business Management, Medicine, and Philosophy. 

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The courses are experiential, letting you practice what you learn over two weeks. You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies. By the end of the program, you will complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and leave with a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

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Why it stands out: You will get early exposure to university life and explore new fields through independent project work and discussion-based classes

3. Columbia University Pre-College Summer: Social Science Courses

Location: Online or Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: ~ $2,868 – $12,838 depending on format
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August; courses of varying lengths available throughout summer
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Current and rising high school students

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Columbia University offers a range of pre-college programs that let you enroll in courses in a field of interest, including tracks in social sciences. You can choose from residential, commuter, or online courses in psychology, sociology, social entrepreneurship, politics, and international relations. 

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All courses are designed to replicate the pace and expectations of college-level academics while still being accessible to high schoolers. You will attend lectures, complete projects and assignments, and engage in discussions that encourage critical thinking and academic growth. If you attend classes on campus, you will experience life in New York City and explore Columbia University’s academic community.

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Why it stands out: You get to enroll in college-level courses and learn from Columbia University instructors, gaining early exposure to campus life and university coursework.

4. University College London’s Pre-University Online Course

Location: Online
Cost: £990
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; classes of 14 students on average
Dates: July 20-31 + an online induction on July 17th
Application deadline: June 15th
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 – 18, from around the world who have English as an additional language, a minimum GPA of 70% in their most recent year of study, and an English proficiency qualification (such as IELTS 5.5+)

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This two-week course is designed to help high schoolers build the academic and English-language skills they would need for undergraduate study in the UK and offers exposure to academics in social science, science, arts, and humanities. You will learn through live and recorded lectures, gaining exposure to various areas, including social-science topics, global citizenship in the context of UCL, and broader academic content drawn from UCL's social science faculty. 

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Alongside lectures, you will build core academic skills while exploring research methods, academic writing, and presentation delivery, and working toward a final research report and presentation you will complete in the second week. You will also take part in personal tutorials in small groups, guided study activities, and optional virtual visits to London cultural sites like the Museum of London and Tate Britain. If you attend at least 80% of live classes and complete the assessed work, you will receive a UCL CLIE certificate along with a written report on your progress.

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Why it stands out: It lets you prepare for university academics through lectures and project work while also exploring what the UK has to offer to college students.

5. Brown University’s Global Health: Inequality, Culture, and Human Well-being Around the World Course

Location: Brown University campus, Providence, RI
Cost: $5,786 (residential) | $4,482 (commuter) + $80 non-refundable application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13-24
Application deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 18, from around the world

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This Brown University course lets you spend two weeks examining global health from an anthropological perspective, focusing on the serious health problems in populations in developing countries. You will explore how inequality and culture intersect to shape the world's most pressing health issues, using theories, concepts, and methods drawn from anthropology. 

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While engaging in a seminar-style experience, you will engage with readings covering a range of cultural contexts, discuss material in small groups, and participate in debates on controversial issues. For your final project, you will work in a team to research a major global health problem in depth. The course is designed to help you build an understanding of the political, socioeconomic, and cultural dimensions of health problems in low-income nations, and the complexity in developing effective, long-term solutions.

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Why it stands out: It uses anthropological methods to help you examine global health with a focus on culture and inequality, giving you a more socially grounded understanding of why health interventions succeed or fail in different contexts.

6. University of Pennsylvania Pre-College Program: Introduction to Sociology Course (SOCI 1000 910)

Location: Online

Cost: $8,692 for one course unit | $14,300 for two course units 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: May 26th – July 1th 

Application deadline: May 1th

Eligibility: 10th- and 11th-grade students; international students are also eligible.  

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University of Pennsylvania’s Pre-College program places you in classes modeled after Penn’s undergraduate sessions. The Introduction to Sociology is a credit-bearing course that offers an introduction to the field, helping you analyze human behavior and social interaction and examine how social structures and cultures are built, maintained, and changed, and how they affect individual lives. 

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Classes will meet multiple times a week. During the course, you will work on assignments that may include research papers, exams, and discussions. You will also work with a diverse group of peers, learning how to collaborate and engage in discussions.

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Why it stands out: It lets you explore sociology alongside undergraduates, gain exposure to Ivy League academics, and earn credit before college.

7. Brown University’s Social Impact of Natural and Human-made Disasters Course

Location: Brown University campus, Providence, RI
Cost: $5,786 (residential) | $4,482 (commuter) + $80 non-refundable application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22nd – July 2nd
Application deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 18, from around the world

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This Brown University pre-college course lets you examine the social, psychological, economic, and health impacts of natural and human-made disasters, drawing on case studies from the 20th and 21st centuries at both national and international scales. You will spend two weeks learning foundational terminology and concepts related to disaster response, including how organizations coordinate relief and evacuation procedures, and how these processes played out during major pandemics. 

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The course will also focus on how disaster relief can become linked with political agendas, leading to broader global issues like immigration, migration, refugee populations, and human trafficking. Guest speakers from disaster management and health agencies will also share firsthand experiences either in person or via Zoom. 

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Why it stands out: You will explore disaster response through political and social lenses, examining concepts far beyond the school curriculum, while also experiencing what it is like to study social science at Brown University.

8. Syracuse University’s Summer College: International Relations Course

Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Cost: $5,595 (residential) | $4,624 (commuter) + $65 nonrefundable application fee; discounts and scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 19th – 31st
Application deadline: May 1st
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; high school graduates not enrolling in Syracuse University in the fall are also eligible. International students can apply.

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Syracuse University’s pre-college program offers high schoolers the opportunity to take college-level courses, with or without credits, across disciplines. The International Relations Course is a two-week experience designed to help you learn about theories of international relations, including constructivism, realism, liberalism, world systems theories, and feminism, to see how global actors interact, tackle problems, and contribute to the international community. 

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The course will cover topics like global health, international law and organizations, climate change, migration, conflict and security, and human rights. Classes will combine lectures, group discussions, and workshops. You will also work on projects that help you connect international theories to real situations focused on global power dynamics and politics. Upon completing the course, you will earn three Syracuse University credits.

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Why it stands out: You will attend classes on a university campus, work on projects, connect with a global cohort of peers, and earn college credits while exploring a social science discipline.

9. Columbia University’s Freedom & Citizenship

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 45 students/year
Dates: June 29th – July 24th (summer session); September 3rd – May 3rd (academic-year engagement)
Application deadline: Early Decision deadline: March 2nd; Regular Decision deadline: March 30th
Eligibility: Students entering their senior year who live in or attend high school in New York City; preference given to low-income and first-generation college students.

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This program combines a four-week summer course with a school-year civic project. During the summer, you will spend four weeks living on Columbia's campus, reading about Socrates, Locke, and other great political thinkers in sessions modeled after Columbia's Contemporary Civilization course and taught by real professors. 

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Mornings will be devoted to intense discussion of the biggest questions about freedom, justice, and citizenship, and afternoons and evenings will focus on writing tutorials with undergraduate mentors. You will explore college-level political philosophy and then apply what you learn to a real civic problem and complete a three-page paper. Over the school year, you will work on a project, research a contemporary political issue, and shape your own advocacy project, while also accessing college guidance.

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Why it stands out: You get to explore social science through project work, writing, and research, spend time on Columbia University campus, work with undergraduate TAs, and get paid in the process.

10. Georgetown University’s International Relations Course 

Location: Online
Cost: $3,995 (for credit) | $1,895 (for enrichment); need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Sessions of varying lengths available throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up from around the world

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Designed by a Georgetown professor, this course examines the modern international system, covering the key players, power dynamics, and rules that shape global politics. You will explore how human rights have become a driving force in world affairs, examine the legal distinctions between war, terrorism, and cyberattacks, and explore the international laws governing the use of force. 

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Throughout the course, you will learn from video lectures, multimedia content, and guided assignments, while accessing support from a teaching assistant. The course will culminate in a capstone project where you will take on the role of U.S. President responding to a simulated human rights crisis, writing a policy paper and deciding between diplomacy, sanctions, or force. If you choose the for-credit track, you will earn a letter grade and college credit reflected on an official Georgetown transcript.

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Why it stands out: It lets you practice what you learn through a role-play simulation where you act as U.S. President managing a live international crisis, offering you a more applied way to test your understanding of the concepts you've studied during the course.

11. Franklin University Switzerland’s Pre-College Summer Courses

Location: Franklin University Switzerland, Lugano, Switzerland
Cost: CHF 2,500 + CHF 50
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13-25 (classes run July 14-24)
Application deadline: Not specified; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Students (international and domestic), ages 15 – 18, who have completed at least 10 years of schooling (rising juniors and seniors). If English is not your first language, or you haven't spent the last two years studying in an English-medium school, you will need a TOEFL score of at least 80, an IELTS Academic score of 6.0, or a Duolingo score of 110.

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Franklin University Switzerland runs an 11-day residential pre-college program designed to help you explore topics in humanities and social sciences through structured courses. You choose between two course options: Sustainability, Eco-Resilience, and Climate Justice, or Art and Belonging: Making, Reflecting, and Creating Better Futures Together. Both courses are led by faculty and offer the chance to earn three university credits. 

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The Sustainability course will combine lectures, fieldwork, and visits to parks, Lake Lugano, vineyards, and Milan, designed to introduce environmental issues and community responses to climate change. The Art and Belonging course will involve hands-on studio work, trips to sites such as the MASI art museum and Lugano's parks and landmarks, and collaborative discussions about creativity, identity, and social change.

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Why it stands out: You will explore interdisciplinary social topics through hands-on work, excursions, and coursework and earn transferable credits before college.

12. University of London and Coursera’s Global Diplomacy: The United Nations in the World

Location: Online via Coursera
Cost: Free to audit; an optional certificate is available through a Coursera subscription (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced course available throughout the year; commitment of about 8 hours
Application deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to learners worldwide; no prior knowledge needed

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This virtual course offers an introduction to how the United Nations shapes world affairs, from its history and structure to the Security Council and the veto, human rights, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Designed by SOAS University of London, the course combines expert videos and readings with assignments. 

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You will explore how international diplomacy actually works and work on building analytical skills to assess global issues. Over eight hours, you will work on building a foundation to understand UN affairs and how it tackles challenges.

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Why it stands out: You get credible exposure to the UN to prepare for law, politics, or international relations majors in a flexible, online format.

13. Georgetown University’s U.S. Politics and Government: To Form a More Perfect Union

Location: Online
Cost: $1,895; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 1-, 2-, and 4-week sessions available throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling; you can apply for the next available course at any time
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up, from around the world

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This Georgetown University course examines the American political system, covering how the Constitution was developed and how institutions like Congress, the presidency, and the judiciary make and enforce decisions. You will study how political parties operate, including how they run campaigns and how lobbying and interest groups influence policy, and explore the media's role in shaping political controversy and public opinion. You will learn through video lectures and guided assignments, while also working with a Georgetown mentor. 

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The course will wrap up with a capstone project in which you will deliver a campaign speech, outlining your own political vision as you accept a presidential nomination at a simulated party convention. Upon completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University.

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Why it stands out: You will gain insights offered by former Chiefs of Staff for the Senate and House Speaker who will serve as guest voices during the course, offering you a glimpse into life within real political institutions in the U.S.

14. Wesleyan University and Coursera’s Social Psychology Course

Location: Online via Coursera
Cost: Free to audit; an optional certificate is available through a Coursera subscription (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced course available throughout the year; commitment of about four weeks
Application deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to learners worldwide; no prior knowledge needed

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This virtual course lets you examine the forces that shape how you behave around other people: persuasion, conformity, obedience, prejudice, attraction, and the power of the situation over the individual. You will learn to observe the invisible social pressures steering everyday behavior, including your own, through modules, assessments, and readings. 

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Wesleyan University faculty will also introduce concepts through experiments and demonstrations, so you get to test the ideas yourself as you work through about four weeks of material. Toward the end, the course will cover social psychology research and offer insights into next steps to take to pursue a career in the field.

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Why it stands out: You will get a hands-on, experiment-based introduction to why people do what they do together through a structured curriculum designed by university faculty.

15. Rice University’s Law: Shaping a Just and Equitable World

Location: Online
Cost: $1,795; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application deadline: A week before each session starts
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up; international students can also apply.

This course offered by Rice University lets you explore how law shapes society, emphasizing employment law, civil rights, property ownership, and education rights. Rather than zeroing in on courtroom procedure or criminal law, the course will let you take a broader look at the role of the legal system in creating or failing to create equal opportunities for people. You will examine real legal disputes through case studies, examine the dilemma of equality and equity of outcomes, and study the ethical aspects of legal issues. 

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The course will be conducted through video lectures and simulations that you can access on your own schedule. A personal mentor will support you throughout the program. The course will wrap up with a capstone project where you will take on the role of a member of a legal task force and create a law-focused proposal that can tackle challenges related to education access, labour rights, and property ownership. You will leave with a Certificate of Completion from Rice University.

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Why it stands out: You will explore the world of law through the lens of social justice in a flexible online format through video lessons and project work.

Frequently asked questions: Social Science Courses for High School Students

What is the difference between a social science course and a regular social studies class?

A social science course usually goes beyond a standard high school curriculum by focusing on one discipline in depth, such as sociology, international relations, or political philosophy, often through a university's pre-college program. You'll typically work with college-level readings, case studies, and research projects rather than a general survey textbook. Programs like Georgetown's International Relations course or Columbia's Freedom & Citizenship immerse you in one field with university faculty guiding the material. This format gives you a deeper, more specialized experience than a typical classroom social studies unit.

Do social science courses for high school students offer college credit?

Some do, though it depends on the program you choose. Syracuse University's International Relations course awards three university credits, and the University of Pennsylvania's Introduction to Sociology course is credit-bearing at $8,692 per unit. Other options, like Georgetown's courses, let you choose between a for-credit track or a non-credit enrichment track at a lower price. Coursera partnerships with Wesleyan and the University of London typically offer certificates rather than transferable credit. Check each program's structure closely, since credit policies vary even within the same university.

Are social science courses for high school students free?

Several are, particularly self-paced options delivered through Coursera. The University of London's Global Diplomacy course and Wesleyan's Social Psychology course are free to audit, with an optional paid certificate available. Most university pre-college programs, such as Brown's or Columbia's residential courses, charge tuition ranging from under $2,000 to over $12,000 depending on format and length. Immerse Education's Academic Insights Programme is a paid two-week option open to students ages 13 to 18 worldwide, with a bursary programme available for students who qualify. Comparing cost against format will help you find a fit within your budget.

What social science topics can I study in these courses?

Coverage spans a wide range of disciplines within the social sciences. You'll find courses focused on sociology, such as the University of Pennsylvania's Introduction to Sociology, alongside international relations options from Georgetown and Syracuse, and political philosophy through Columbia's Freedom & Citizenship. Other courses take a more applied angle, like Brown's global health and disaster response courses or Rice's law and social justice course. Because the topics vary this widely, narrowing down which discipline interests you first will make it easier to choose the right course.

Are these social science courses in-person or online?

Both formats are available, and the right choice depends on your schedule and location. In-person options include Brown University's residential courses in Providence and Columbia's campus-based programs in New York City, which place you directly among faculty and other students. For more online options, you can check out our roundup of online social science courses.

How do I choose the right social science course for high school students?

Start by identifying which discipline interests you most, whether that's sociology, international relations, law, or political philosophy, since many courses specialize rather than survey the whole field. Compare cost and credit options, as prices range from free Coursera courses to over $12,000 for select Columbia University sessions. Check eligibility requirements carefully, since some programs, like Columbia's Freedom & Citizenship, restrict applicants by location or income eligibility. Also consider format, since residential programs offer campus immersion while online courses offer flexibility. Reviewing each program's dates and requirements will help you narrow your options.

Get ready for university with social science courses

Sociology, international relations, law, and political philosophy each give you a different lens for understanding how societies function and change over time.

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Choosing between free Coursera options and credit-bearing university programs lets you match your budget and goals before committing to a track.

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Admissions readers notice when applicants pursue social science courses for high school students beyond what their own school offers.

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Browse Immerse's university preparation resources to keep strengthening the profile and skills that will support your college applications ahead.